Data is a hugely important part of our work, from GIS mapping to salmon tagging, water sampling and electrofishing this information helps us to determine habitat condition, water quality, locations of species, and areas in which we should prioritise work. However, we can’t be everywhere at once and rely on volunteers to collect information for us. So, as part of Ribble Life Together we’ve developed some new and exciting training opportunities for our volunteers.

Our training programmes have been designed to provide a number of opportunities for people to learn whilst helping to monitor the catchments health. Many of the surveys don’t require any specialist knowledge to complete and full training and support is always provided. All volunteers need is an interest in wildlife and rivers and plenty of enthusiasm!

The Ribble Life Together project will enable us to run numerous workshops throughout the year training people to carry out barrier, otter, riverfly, and walkover and habitat surveys!

With an estimated 900 barriers preventing fish migration within the Ribble Catchment barrier surveys will help us to identify where our work should be focused, find out more about barrier training on our barrier training page.

In order to support otters rivers must be healthy, and so otters are a great indicator of river health. Our otter monitoring trainingprovides the information required to identify the presence of otters.

Riverfly Monitoring workshops teach participants the techniques required to carry out kick sampling surveys and develop invertebrate ID skills. The results can be used to monitor river health. Visit the Riverfly Monitoring pageto find out more.

Walkover and habitat surveys are a simple, but effective way of monitoring the condition a section of river. Volunteers are trained to identify, prioritise, and map features such as sources of pollution, erosion, and invasive species.

For more information about surveys or to register your interest please contact us at admin@ribbletrust.com